Beginning Your Academic Journey

College courses are much more demanding than high school, and it's up to you to make the right decisions and manage your time and responsibilities.

The primary difference to understand is that in high school, you could simply follow rules that were strictly enforced. In college, you must choose responsibly, or you will face the consequences of actions or inactions. As a new student, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the academic resources Widener University has to offer. 

High School vs. College Academics: Key Differences

Level of independence

• In high school, teachers often guide you step-by-step through assignments and offer frequent reminders about deadlines.
• In college, professors expect you to take more responsibility for your learning. There may be fewer specific instructions for assignments and reminders about deadlines.

Coursework and assignments

• In high school, assignments are typically shorter and more frequent, with a focus on memorization and basic understanding of concepts.
• In college, assignments are generally longer, more complex, and require deeper critical thinking and analysis. 

Class schedule

• In high school, most classes are held daily.
• In college, classes could be held once, twice, or three times weekly, and you'll likely have gaps of time between.

Grading

• In high school, grades are based on a combination of homework, quizzes, tests, and class participation.
• In college, grades are usually based on major assignments, exams, and papers, with limited opportunities for extra credit.

Time management

• In high school, teachers often help students manage their time by offering detailed schedules and assignments.
• In college, students are responsible for balancing coursework with extracurricular and social activities. 

Make the Most of Your Classroom Experience

• Go to class on time. That seems obvious, but it's important to remember. How can you be successful if you're not actually in class?
• Come to class prepared (every time!). Don't forget a writing utensil, notepad, syllabus, and your planner. 
• Participate in class. Turn off your cell phone, take careful notes, ask questions, and turn assignments in on time. 
• Get to know your professors. They're people, too, and are ready to help if you're struggling in class or really interested in the topics they teach. Introduce yourself and visit during office hours. 
• Show respect to everyone. Raise your hand when you want to speak, and avoid interrupting your professor or classmates. Find tips on how to respectfully disagree in the Engaging Respectfully with Faculty & Classmates section below.

Academic Policies, Procedures & Regulations

Widener University strongly supports the concept of academic integrity and expects students and all other members of the Widener University community to be honest in all academic endeavors. 

Visit the academic catalog for more information regarding academic policies and procedures and academic regulations. 

Still have questions about our policies? Check out our Academic Resources, Policies, and FAQs page for more detailed information. 

As you embark on your first year of college, you might encounter terms that are unfamiliar. Here's a primer on the tools you'll turn to throughout your time at Widener.

Canvas is an online platform you’ll use to access course info, submit assignments, join online discussions, view grades, and more.
Access Canvas with Widener email
Download Mobile App: Apple App Store, Google Play Store

Office365 grants you access to the Microsoft suite of tools, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Teams, and more.
Access Office365

Student Planning is where you search, plan, and register for courses, and view your degree progress. This is a great tool for facilitating discussions with your advisor and ensuring you're on track to graduate. Annual tax, financial info, and your petition to graduate can also be found here. 
Access Student Planning

A syllabus is a roadmap for your course, outlining everything you need to know to succeed. It includes the course schedule, assignments, grading policies, and contact information for your professor. Be sure to read it thoroughly, highlight important dates, and refer to it regularly to keep track of what's next for the class.

Since the structure of your life at college likely looks very different than high school, this is a great time to adopt new strategies for staying organized and on top of your class, work, and extracurricular commitments.

Studying tips

• Balance active listening with note taking in class. Pay close attention and focus on retaining core concepts. While taking notes, don't try to capture everything your professor says! You don't want to be so busy writing that you miss important information. Instead, prioritize main points, examples, and connections between ideas.
• Review material weekly. Regularly review your notes to reinforce your understanding of the information and identify anything important you may have missed.
• Active recall: Try to remember information without referencing your notes.
• Teach someone else. Explaining concepts to others is an excellent way to solidify understanding.

Time-management tips

• Use a planner. Whether you opt for your phone's calendar app or a paper planner, you'll need a system to organize your class schedule, assignment deadlines, campus involvements, jobs, and life in general. 
• Break down large assignments. Divide big tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
• Balance time-sensitive assignments with larger projects. Take note of which assignments are due the soonest and prioritize those—at the same time, allot specific blocks of time to making progress on larger projects that may not be due for a while but require more planning and time to complete.
• Audit how you spend your time. For one week, track how you actually spend your time. This can reveal time-wasting habits you weren't aware of (such as excessive social media use) and help you make adjustments.  

At Widener (and in life!), knowing how to communicate respectively and effectively is key to maintaining positive personal and professional relationships. Follow these tips on how to navigate situations that might be new to you as a first-year college student.

How to communicate professionally via email:

• Write a clear and concise subject line with a brief description of the purpose of your email, such as "Question About This Week's ENG 101 Reading."
• Address the recipient respectfully, such as "Hi Professor [LastName]."
• If you have a question about an assignment or a grade, be specific about which assignment or grade you're referring to. Provide any relevant details or background information.
• Even if you're frustrated or have a complaint, maintain a polite, respectful tone and avoid making demands or accusations.
• Wrap up your message with a professional closing, such as "Thank you," "Sincerely," or "Best regards," followed by your name.

How to communicate (and collaborate) with peers during group projects:

• Schedule a kickoff meeting to discuss everyone's strengths, weaknesses, schedules, and preferred communication methods (e.g., group chat, email).
• Break down the project into smaller, manageable tasks with deadlines. Use a shared calendar to track progress.
• Regularly communicate updates, challenges, and questions. Don't let issues fester.
• Pay attention to what your peers are saying, ask clarifying questions, and show that you value their input.
• Be respectful of different opinions and perspectives. Constructive criticism is OK, but avoid personal attacks or dismissive language.
• Choose the right communication tools: Use a group chat for quick updates and informal discussions. Use email for more formal communication or file sharing.

How to respectfully communicate when you disagree with someone:

• Start by acknowledging the validity of their perspective, even if you don't agree with it. For example, "I understand that you feel that way," or "I see where you're coming from."
• Express your disagreement using "I" statements to focus on your own perspective and avoid making it personal. For example, "I have a different perspective on this," or "I see it differently because ..."
• Keep your disagreement focused on the idea or issue at hand, not on the person expressing it. Avoid personal attacks or insults.
• Maintain a calm and respectful tone of voice. Avoid raising your voice, using sarcasm, or making dismissive gestures.

Wolfgram Library is an academic hub, featuring:

• Research databases complete with articles, books, and more
• Quiet study spaces
• Interlibrary loan, where you can temporarily rent resources from other libraries
• Consultations with librarians who can connect you with the materials, knowledge, or resources you need
• Laptop loans
• Streaming videos and audiobooks
• How-to guides on a variety of academics-related topics

Find many more resources on the library's webpage.

Learning to feel comfortable asking questions is a key aspect of personal growth that will benefit you in class, at work, and in your personal life. The best way to increase your comfort: ask away. When you do, you'll better understand the subject at hand, have a clearer path forward, and boost your self-confidence. 

Here are common scenarios in which you might find yourself—and our suggestions on how to proceed.

• You're in class, and the professor asks if anyone has questions. You do. Go ahead, raise your hand! Doing so not only helps out your peers who had the same question—it opens the doors for others to feel comfortable sharing own questions.
• You're dealing with a challenging assignment or class. Your professor has encouraged students to email or stop by during office hours. Go for it! Your professors are invested in your success, and they'll be happy to talk through the situation. No issue is too big or too small!